Appearance and Character

Victarion is a large and powerful man, with a bull's broad chest and a boy's flat stomach. His hair is flecked with grey.[2]

Victarion is a capable commander and a fierce warrior in battle, but he has a calm demeanor outside of it, thinking of enemies who show bravery with great respect.[4] He is a religious man and wears full plate armor while sailing because he has no fear of drowning.[2][5] According to George R. R. Martin, Victarion is "dumb as a stump"[6] and "a dullard and a brute".[7]

The Lord Captain's armor consists of boiled black leather, heavy grey chain mail, and lobstered plate, and his helm is in the shape of a kraken.[2][5] He carries a longsword and a dirk,[2] but prefers to use his axe.[8][5] Victarion's cloak is made of nine layers of gold cloth sewn like the kraken of his House, and its arms reach his boots.[2]

Victarion has wed three times: his first wife died in childbirth, birthing a stillborn daughter; his second wife was stricken by a pox; his third wife was seduced and impregnated by his brother Euron, which drove Victarion to beat her to death to retain his honor. Only the taboo against kinslaying kept Victarion from doing the same to Euron. He has not married since, nor has he forgiven Euron, who was forced into exile by Balon in 297 AC.[2][11][9] In addition to his third wife, Victarion has beaten four men to death with his fists.[2]

A Feast for Crows

Victarion wears mail and leather day and night for protection from crannogmen. He leaves a token force to defend Moat Cailin under the command of Ralf Kenning and returns to the Iron Islands with his fleet to decide on the succession of the next iron king.[2]

Victarion makes a claim to the Seastone Chair as Balon's brother and second-in-command. He refuses the offer of his niece, Asha Greyjoy, to share rule with him as king and her as his Hand.[2] Victarion makes a strong claim at the kingsmoot, but the crowd ultimately favors Euron.[8]

Despite his hatred for Euron, Victarion's obedient and dutiful nature keeps him following his king's orders. Victarion leads the taking of the Shields, slaughtering unarmored sailors and winning a duel with Ser Talbert Serry, the son of Lord Osbert Serry, but his hand is wounded during the fight. After his victory, Victarion watches helplessly as Euron steals many of his trusted comrades away from him by giving them titles on the Shield Islands. Victarion also deplores the cruelty Euron displays toward the slain lords' women.[5]

Apparently oblivious to Victarion's hatred, Euron summons Victarion to a private meeting in Lord Hewett's castle and asks him to find Daenerys Targaryen and deliver Euron's marriage proposal. The new king explains that Victarion will receive the Seastone Chair once Euron claims the Iron Throne. Victarion agrees, but secretly plans on courting Daenerys for himself.[5]

A Dance with Dragons

Victarion's Iron Fleet of over ninety ships splits into three squadrons and sets sail for Meereen. With him aboard Iron Victory is "the dusky woman", a gift of Euron's. She is comely but mute. On the journey, Victarion loses nearly half his ships, though he also gains some ships back by capturing and seizing several trading vessels and their cargo. Victarion's wounded hand continues to trouble him, and he suspects that Kerwin, the maester that Euron sent to accompany him, is poisoning him.

During the voyage, a red priest of R'hllor named Moqorro is discovered clinging to wreckage out at sea. The crew wants him killed, but Moqorro convinces Victarion to allow him to treat his wounded hand. Behind closed doors, Moqorro apparently uses magic on the lord captain; when Victarion emerges from his cabin, his hand is charred and blackened.[15]

Moqorro, like Melisandre, can see the future in the flames, and uses the magic to aid Victarion in his quest. For instance, Victarion orders his crew to kill Kerwin, as Moqorro had a vision that the maester's death would bring the ship good winds.[15] The Iron Victory's crew live in great fear of Moqorro and call him the Black Flame. Victarion makes offerings to both the Drowned God and R'hllor. Moqorro also alerts Victarion that he has seen Daenerys married in the flames, but Victarion is unconcerned by this, stating "she would not be the first woman I made a widow."[16] Moqorro tells Victarion that in order to bind Daenerys's dragons to the Iron Captain's will, Victarion must claim the dragon hornDragonbinder with blood.[16]

The Winds of Winter

Warning This information has thus far been released in a sample chapter for The Winds of Winter, and might therefore not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that the content as described below is still subject to change.

Quotes about Victarion

Victarion is like some great grey bullock, strong and tireless and dutiful, but not like to win any races. No doubt he'll serve me as loyally as he has served my lord father. He has neither the wits nor the ambition to plot betrayal.[11]